Andrew Murray wrote a tiny book in 1895 that basically ruins your ego. It’s not a long read. You can finish it in an hour. But honestly? Most people spend a lifetime trying to actually do what it says. Humility by Andrew Murray isn’t just some dusty devotional for people who like old-fashioned language; it’s a psychological and spiritual wrecking ball. It challenges the very idea that we should be the center of our own universe.
In a world obsessed with "personal branding" and "manifesting your best life," Murray’s message feels almost offensive. He argues that pride isn't just a character flaw. It’s the root of every single human problem. If you’re feeling anxious, bitter, or constantly overlooked, Murray would probably tell you—gently, but firmly—that your ego is the culprit.
It’s a tough pill to swallow.
Most books on self-improvement tell you how to get more, be more, and do more. Murray goes the opposite way. He talks about "becoming nothing." That sounds depressing at first glance, right? But the way he frames it is actually pretty liberating. When you stop trying to be "something," you stop worrying about what people think of you. You stop the exhausting race to prove your worth.
What Andrew Murray Actually Meant by Humility
A lot of people think being humble means walking around with your head down and saying you’re trash. That’s not it. Murray makes it clear that humility isn't about thinking poorly of yourself; it’s about not thinking of yourself at all.
He looks at the life of Jesus as the ultimate template. Now, regardless of where you stand on religion, the philosophical argument Murray makes is fascinating. He suggests that Christ’s power didn't come from his ego, but from his total dependence on something greater. Murray calls humility "the displacement of self by the enthronement of God."
Think about that for a second.
We spend so much energy defending our reputation. If someone cuts us off in traffic or ignores our email, we feel a "sting." That sting is pride. Murray argues that a truly humble person can't be "offended" because they don't have a high opinion of themselves to protect in the first place. It’s a level of psychological freedom that most of us can't even imagine.
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The Problem of "Religious" Pride
Murray hits hard on a specific type of ego: the spiritual kind. This is where the book gets really spicy. He points out that some of the most "pious" people are actually the most prideful. They use their goodness as a trophy.
He observes that it’s easy to be humble before God in a dark room during prayer. It’s much harder to be humble before a difficult coworker or a spouse who just criticized your cooking. Murray insists that your humility toward God is only as real as your humility toward the people around you. If you’re a saint in the church but a jerk in the parking lot, you’ve missed the point.
He writes about how we often mistake "brokenness" for humility. You can be broken and miserable while still being incredibly self-centered. True humility, in his view, is a state of "rest." It’s quiet. It’s not trying to impress anyone.
Why Modern Readers Struggle With This Message
Let’s be real. We live in the age of the "Main Character." Everything in our culture—from LinkedIn's hustle culture to Instagram’s curated aesthetics—encourages us to polish the self.
Murray's work, Humility by Andrew Murray, stands in direct opposition to the "Self-Love" movement. While modern therapy focuses on building self-esteem, Murray focuses on self-effacement. It’s a radical difference.
- Self-esteem says: "I am great, and I deserve respect."
- Murray’s humility says: "I am a vessel, and I am here to serve."
Is one right and the other wrong? It’s complicated.
Psychologically, having zero self-esteem is dangerous. But Murray isn't advocating for self-loathing. He’s advocating for a shift in focus. He believes that as long as we are looking at ourselves, we are limited. When we look outward—or upward—we find a peace that "self-care" routines usually fail to provide.
He uses the analogy of a vacuum. Nature abhors a vacuum. If you empty yourself of "self," you aren't left empty; you’re filled with a different kind of life and power. It’s the "death to self" concept that sounds terrifying until you actually try it and realize that "self" was the thing making you miserable all along.
Practical Insights from the Chapters
The book is structured into twelve short chapters. Each one attacks a different angle of the ego.
In the chapter "Humility in the Teaching of Jesus," Murray points out how often the disciples fought over who was the greatest. It’s almost funny. They were literally walking with a divine being, and they were still worried about their "ranking" in the group. Murray notes that Jesus didn't just tell them to be humble; He showed them by washing their feet.
The Foot-Washing Philosophy
In the 1st century, washing feet was the nastiest job available. It was reserved for the lowest servant. When Jesus did it, He wasn't just being "nice." He was upending the entire social hierarchy. Murray argues that we should look for "foot-washing" opportunities in our own lives—not for the credit, but because it’s the natural state of a person who understands their true position.
Then there’s the section on "Humility and Sin." This is a bit of a nuance. Most people think humility comes from being a sinner. Murray disagrees. He says even if we never sinned, we would still need to be humble because we are creatures. We are dependent. We didn't create ourselves. We don't keep our own hearts beating. Acknowledging that dependence is the essence of humility.
The "Death to Self" Paradox
One of the heaviest parts of the book deals with "Humility and Death." He’s not talking about physical death, but the death of the "ego-life."
It sounds extreme.
But think about the last time you felt truly humiliated. Maybe you failed at a project publicly. Maybe you were rejected. That feeling of "dying" inside? Murray says we should lean into that. Instead of fighting to regain our status, we should accept the "death" of our reputation.
Why? Because on the other side of that death is a version of you that can't be threatened. If you've already accepted that you're "nothing," no one can take your "something" away from you.
Common Misconceptions About Murray's Teachings
People often get Andrew Murray wrong. They think he’s promoting a "doormat" lifestyle.
That’s a huge misunderstanding.
A doormat lets people walk over them because they are afraid or have no boundaries. A humble person (in the Murray sense) allows themselves to be "lowly" because they are so secure in their relationship with God that they don't need to fight for their rights. It’s actually a position of immense strength.
- Weakness vs. Humility: Weakness is the inability to act. Humility is the refusal to act for selfish gain.
- Silence vs. Humility: You can be silent and still be screaming with pride inside.
- Service vs. Humility: You can serve others just to make yourself look good. Murray calls this out as "refined pride."
Honestly, Murray’s standard is so high it’s almost frustrating. He suggests that if we have even a spark of "I did this" or "Look at me," we’ve stepped back into pride. It’s a constant, daily recalibration.
How to Actually Apply This Without Losing Your Mind
You can't just "become humble" by trying harder. That’s the paradox. If you try to be humble, you’ll just become proud of how humble you’re being. "Look at me, I’m the humblest guy in the office!" See the problem?
Murray’s solution is to stop focusing on humility and start focusing on the "Glory of God."
1. Practice the "Hidden" Life
Try doing things for people that they will never find out about. If you feel a burning desire to tell someone about your good deed, sit with that feeling. Don't give in to it. Let the desire "die."
2. Audit Your Conversations
Next time you're in a group, notice how much you talk about yourself. Notice how quickly you jump in to share a story that makes you look smart or funny. Try, just once, to listen without trying to "win" the conversation.
3. Accept Criticism Without Defending Yourself
This is the "pro level" of Humility by Andrew Murray. When someone criticizes you—even if they are wrong—try saying, "Thank you for telling me that. I'll think about it." You don't have to agree, but you don't have to fight for your honor either.
4. Acknowledge Your Dependence
Start the day by admitting you aren't in control. It sounds simple, but it changes your posture. If you aren't the CEO of the Universe, you don't have to carry the stress of the Universe.
The Legacy of a South African Mystic
Andrew Murray wasn't just a writer; he was a leader in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa during a time of intense political and social upheaval. He lived through the Boer Wars. He saw human pride play out on a massive, bloody scale.
His writing isn't academic. It’s pastoral. He’s writing to people who are tired. People who are worn out by their own egos and the egos of others.
The book remains a staple in "classic" Christian literature, alongside works by A.W. Tozer or Oswald Chambers. But it hits differently because it’s so laser-focused. It doesn't try to cover every theological topic. It just hammers on this one nail: Pride is the poison; humility is the cure.
The Evidence of Change
If you look at the testimonials of people who have taken this book seriously over the last century, a pattern emerges. They describe a sense of "lightness."
The weight of having to be important is heavy.
The weight of having to be right is heavy.
The weight of having to be "better" than your neighbor is heavy.
Murray offers a way to drop the weight.
It’s not an easy path. In fact, he warns that the "self" will fight to stay alive until your very last breath. It will hide in your virtues. It will hide in your charity. It will even hide in your "humility." But the pursuit of this "lowly" life is, according to Murray, the only way to find true, lasting joy.
Actionable Steps for the "Ego-Weary"
If you're ready to actually engage with these ideas, don't just read the book and put it on a shelf. The ego is a master of intellectualizing things to avoid changing.
- Read one chapter a day. Don't rush. Murray’s prose is dense. Let one thought sink in for 24 hours.
- Identify your "Pride Triggers." What makes you feel defensive? Is it when people question your intelligence? Your appearance? Your parenting? That’s where your work begins.
- The "Someone Else" Rule. For the next week, make a conscious effort to ask more questions about others than you answer about yourself.
- Admit Failure Early. When you mess up, admit it immediately without excuses. Excuses are just pride in a suit and tie.
Ultimately, Humility by Andrew Murray teaches us that we are at our best when we aren't thinking about our "best" at all. It’s about becoming a window—something people look through, not at. It’s a quiet, radical way to live, and in 2026, it might just be the most counter-cultural thing you can do.